Artists
Bella Dower
Jim Everett puralia meenamatta
Natalie Holtsbaum
Gabbee Stolp
Lillian Wheatley
Date/ Time: 5.30pm 12 May 2022
Location: Contemporary Art Tasmania
During May the CAT Gallery is given over to the Bendable posable action artist (b.p.a.a) series. The 12.05.22 event comprises presentations by Bella Dower, Jim Everett puralia meenamatta, Natalie Holtsbaum, Gabbee Stolp and Lillian Wheatley who will share their work and ideas in a social gallery space. This occasion brings artists from all career stages together to talk about their practice, present new artworks and work in development and engage in a dialogue with their peers.
b.p.a.a program – 12.05.22
Gabbee Stolp – introduction to work in the gallery
Bella Dower – introduction to work in the gallery
Natalie Holtsbaum – guest provocateur in conversation with Gabbee and Bella
BREAK
Lillian Wheatley – presentation and work in the gallery
Jim Everett puralia meenamatta – presentation
REFRESHMENTS
Bendable posable action artist is presented through CAT’s education and development program Constellations. Discursive and collegial in its approach, the series provides a context for sharing ideas and fostering connection.
Artist bios
Jim Everett – puralia meenamatta was born at Flinders Island and is from the clan plangermairreenner of the Turbuna (Mt Ben Lomond) nations in Tasmania. Jim has had over 50 years formal involvement in the Aboriginal Struggle, including a long history in government Aboriginal Affairs and with community organisations. He wrote his first play, We Are Survivors, in 1984, produced, directed, and acted in it. His written works include plays, short stories, and political papers. Jim has been published in many anthologies and has produced and been associate producer in many documentary films as well as a major feature film.
Bella Dower is an emerging multidisciplinary artist. Through her wearable works she contemplates the psychoanalytical mechanisms of body adornment, and the power of tactility in conjuring memories and emotions. Dower is one of the first artists to represent a creative field as a finalist within the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship Tasmania and Australia-at-Large categories, recognised for her academic achievement and leadership qualities. Dower has recently been announced as a Finalist in the 2022 Women’s Art Prize Tasmania and was a recipient of the CAT program ‘Cobra’ in 2020.
Gabbee Stolp‘s artistic practice exists across several mediums, with a primary focus on contemporary jewellery, object-making and textiles. Her works explore human inter-connectedness with nature and the ways in which we memorialise place and time with objects and artefacts. Gabbee holds a Bachelor of Fine Art, First Class Honours from RMIT University, Melbourne. Gabbee has exhibited widely, most recently she was a finalist in the 2022 Women’s Art Prize Tasmania. She is a founding member of State of Flux Workshop, a contemporary jewellery and object gallery and studio space in Hobart.
Natalie Holtsbaum occupies herself by conjuring objects that enhance our corporeal, emotional and cultural experiences through jewellery, plant installation, furniture and architecture. Natalie received a Bachelor of Fine Art in Gold and Silversmithing from RMIT University, Melbourne. Formerly Creative Producer for Mona and KK Productions, she currently focuses on making large scale items for the lived environment.
Lillian Wheatley is a proud Trawlwoolway, saltwater woman from lutruwita/Tasmania, a small group of islands to the North East of Tasmania; the Furneaux Islands. Lillian is influenced by the pristine environment she grew up in. She uses natural materials and resources found locally in her multi-media art works and continues to honour the thriving living ancient practices of her ancestors. Lillian’s creations have been exhibited in art galleries throughout Victoria, at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Mona and more recently at Melbourne Fashion Week.